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Bruce Edward Kiracofe of Bethesda, Md., passed away at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore on March 4, 2026. Bruce, who would have turned 69 on March 7, had fought a courageous battle with cancer.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 28 years, Elizabeth Page Torrey, of Bethesda; and sons William Pratt Kiracofe, 25, and James Fuller Kiracofe, 21. Of all of Bruce's accomplishments, he was most proud of his sons and what extraordinary young men they have become.
Bruce and Elizabeth were introduced by their friend and colleague, Elizabeth Tobey, in Washington, D.C. Bruce had an extra opera ticket at the Kennedy Center on the frightfully cold evening of Leap Day 1992. It was his first and last blind date.
He had a long career of service to the United States at the Treasury Department, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and the Departments of Defense and State, in roles involving cybersecurity, mapping, and technology. Professionally, a highlight was the six months Bruce spent in Afghanistan in 2009, working with the Afghan National Mapping Agency. He forged deep connections with the Afghans he worked with and he, and Elizabeth, kept up those relationships for the rest of his life.
Bruce was born on March 7, 1957, in Staunton, Va., the fifth child of Ray and Florence (Polly) Kiracofe. When asked what the expectations were for him as a child," He replied, 'To do well in school, and at sports' " He excelled in football and baseball, and loved swimming, playing baseball, golf, frisbee, and flag football with friends. After graduating from Robert E. Lee High School in Staunton in 1975, he earned a B.A. in Anthropology and Sociology from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va., in 1980. He spent three years in the first archaeological field school and cultural resource management program, a partnership between JMU and the state of Virginia.
He earned an M.A. in Analytical Geography from Binghamton University, in Binghamton, N.Y., in 1983. His thesis focused on the geology and geography of the Adirondacks. Bruce enjoyed the snowy winters and beautiful summer climate in upstate New York, where he learned to ski and sail. As recently as March 2025, he was skiing expert slopes at Gore Mountain with his sons, and cross-country skiing with Elizabeth on the trails at North River, N.Y.
Bruce was an active volunteer. He served as president of the Metro Washington, D.C., Chapter of the American Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. He was a member of the first group to advocate for recycling in Fairfax County, Va. A devoted father, Bruce was a scout master for two Boy Scout troops, through which he earned the Wood Badge, an adult leadership designation in scouting. He was a baseball coach and science fair judge. With a county grant, he designed and planted a rain garden at home in Bethesda. A favorite place was the hammock on the screen porch, for reading, napping and enjoying the tree top view of the yard and that garden.
He loved music and travel. To celebrate his retirement, he and Elizabeth drove across the country on a month-long trip visiting family and friends and enjoying a U2 concert at the Sphere in Las Vegas. He loved the beach, whether in North Carolina, Delaware, or Greece.
Bruce most recently served as a board member of HistoriCorps, a nonprofit that preserves historic structures on public lands across the United States.
Besides his wife and sons, Bruce is survived by siblings Diane Winsboro of Staunton, Va., Andy Kiracofe (Edith) of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Judy Allen of Ohio, and Joy Taylor (John) of Max Meadows, Va., and brother-in-law, Russell Torrey (Marie) of Lewes, Del., as well as nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews; and cousins.
A Quaker memorial service will be held Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 4 pm at the Sandy Spring Friends Meeting House, 17715 Meeting House Road, Sandy Spring, Maryland. Please consider memorial donations to: